the-great-gatsby-pdf

“I want to get the grass cut,” he said.
Webothlooked atthegrass —therewas a sharp linewhere
myraggedlawnendedandthedarker,well-keptexpanseofhis
began. I suspected that he meant my grass.
“There’s another little thing,” he said uncertainly, and
hesitated.
“Would you rather put it off for a few days?” I asked.
“Oh, it isn’t about that. At least ——” He fumbled with a
series of beginnings. “Why, I thought — why, look here, old
sport, you don’t make much money, do you?”
“Not very much.”
This seemed to reassure him and he continued more
confidently.
“Ithought you didn’t,if you’llpardon my — Yousee, Icarry
on a little business on the side, a sort of side line,you under-
stand. And I thought that if you don’t make very much —
You’re selling bonds, aren’t you, old sport?”
“Trying to.”
“Well, this would interest you. It wouldn’t take up much of
your time and you might pick up a nice bit of money. It hap-
pens to be a rather confidential sort of thing.”
Irealizenow thatunderdifferentcircumstancesthatconver-
sation might have been one of the crises of my life. But, be-
causetheofferwas obviouslyandtactlessly fora servicetobe
rendered, I had no choice except to cut him off there.
“I’ve got my hands full,” I said. “I’m much obliged but I
couldn’t take on any more work.”
“You wouldn’t have to do any business with Wolfsheim.”
EvidentlyhethoughtthatIwasshyingawayfromthe“gonneg-
tion.”mentionedatlunch,butIassuredhimhewaswrong.He
waiteda momentlonger, hopingI’dbeginaconversation,butI
was too absorbed to be responsive, so he went unwillingly
home.
Theevening had mademe light-headed and happy; Ithink I
walkedintoadeep sleepasIenteredmyfrontdoor.SoIdidn’t
know whetheror not Gatsby wentto Coney Island, or for how
many hours he “glanced into rooms.” while his house blazed
gaudilyon.Icalled upDaisyfromtheoffice nextmorning,and
invited her to come to tea.
“Don’t bring Tom,” I warned her.